Initial evaluation of image performance of a 3-D x-ray system: phantom-based comparison of 3-D tomography with conventional computed tomography

Robyn Melanie Benz; Meritxell Alzamora Garcia; Felix Amsler; Johannes Voigt; Andreas Fieselmann; Anna Lucja Falkowski; Bram Stieltjes; Anna Hirschmann

doi:10.1117/1.JMI.5.1.015502

6 March 2018 Initial evaluation of image performance of a 3-D x-ray system: phantom-based comparison of 3-D tomography with conventional computed tomography

Robyn Melanie Benz, Meritxell Alzamora Garcia, Felix Amsler, Johannes Voigt, Andreas Fieselmann, Anna Lucja Falkowski, Bram Stieltjes, Anna Hirschmann

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Medical Imaging, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 015502 (March 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.5.1.015502

Abstract

Phantom-based initial performance assessment of a prototype three-dimensional (3-D) x-ray system and comparison of 3-D tomography with computed tomography (CT) were proposed. A 3-D image quality phantom was scanned with a prototype version of 3-D cone-beam CT imaging implemented on a twin robotic x-ray system using three trajectories (163 deg = table, 188 deg = upright, and 200 deg = side), six tube voltages (60, 70, 81, 90, 100, and 121 kV), and four detector doses (0.348, 0.696, 1.740, and 3.480 μGy / projection). CT was obtained with a clinical protocol. Spatial resolution (line pairs/cm) and soft-tissue-contrast resolution were assessed by two independent readers. Radiation dose was assessed. Descriptive and analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05) were performed. With 3-D tomography, a maximum of 16 lp/cm was visible and best soft-tissue-contrast resolution was 2 mm at 30 Hounsfield units (HU) for 160 projections. With CT, 10 lp/cm was visible and soft-tissue-contrast resolution was 4 mm at 20 HU. The upright trajectory yielded significantly better spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast, and the side trajectory yielded significantly higher soft tissue contrast than the table trajectory (P < 0.05). Radiation dose was higher in 3-D tomography (45 to 704 mGycm) than CT (44 mGycm). Three-dimensional tomography renders overall equal or higher spatial resolution and comparable soft tissue contrast to CT for medium- and high-dose protocols in the side and upright trajectories, but with higher radiation doses.

Citation Download Citation

Robyn Melanie Benz, Meritxell Alzamora Garcia, Felix Amsler, Johannes Voigt, Andreas Fieselmann, Anna Lucja Falkowski, Bram Stieltjes, and Anna Hirschmann "Initial evaluation of image performance of a 3-D x-ray system: phantom-based comparison of 3-D tomography with conventional computed tomography," Journal of Medical Imaging 5(1), 015502 (6 March 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.5.1.015502

Received: 12 September 2017; Accepted: 2 February 2018; Published: 6 March 2018

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available